Drivers can travel 10mph faster in roadwork lanes

Highways chiefs have given the green light to raise the speed at which motorists in Kent can drive through roadworks, from 50mph to 60mph.

The move comes after research and trials were carried out as drivers were “frustrated” they could not travel faster on motorways and trunk roads.

Bosses at Highways England say the results showed, as well as saving time, more people were sticking to the higher speed limit.

Findings by the government-owned company show using 60mph in roadworks on eight road schemes which supported the trial led to drivers saving almost 3,780 hours in journey time each day across all sites.

The trial was used at the new M20 junction 10a at Ashford. Its aim was to understand how drivers felt about the 60mph limit and to ensure it could be delivered safely for drivers and workers.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said while motorists understand roadworks are necessary, they are “frustrated” by them.

He said: “All of our research shows that road users benefit from 60mph limits in roadworks. They have shorter journey times and feel safe.

“Testing 60mph has been about challenging the norm while ensuring the safety of our people working out there and those using our roads.

“We have a huge programme of work planned, so being able to use 60mph where safe will continue to improve everybody’s experience of our roads.” Drivers said they found 60mph “appropriate and felt safe” and shared their experiences as part of the consultation.

One motorist said: “Overall, I would say I agree with it being put up to 60mph to allow the journey time to be more efficient and to decrease the frustration of drivers.”

Another added: “The 60mph definitely helps... I just said I can’t believe the time we’ve made up already in our journey.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “We know road users want speed limits in roadworks to be no lower than necessary to maintain safety – so 60mph in roadworks wherever it is safe to do it is a welcome step.”

Highways England confirmed 60mph could be safely operated during the technology testing of signs, signals and camera systems on sections of motorway in 2018.

The more recent phase of the trial ran from January 2019 to July this year and looked at the impact of 60mph being in place for eight or 10-week periods.

‘Road users want speed limits to be no lower than necessary to maintain safety’